The Kinesthetic Learner

All children learn in different ways. Some are more visual learners while others tend to be more auditory. Some kids need to use their entire body to learn. So, how do we teach to different learners? We use what is called Multisensory instruction. Multisensory instruction means that the kids have to see it (visual), hear it (auditory), touch it (tactile) and do it (kinesthetic). Using all of the child’s senses when teaching, activates the different parts of the brain. This helps the information that they are learning “stick.” Imagine that your child’s teacher always just lectures from the front of the room. Then imagine how much more effective that teacher would be in reaching your child if he or she let the child work on hands on projects, conduct experiments, or go on a field trip. On today’s Blog, I am going to focus on the Kinesthetic Learner.

Who is the Kinesthetic Learner?

This is the child that needs to move! This child wiggles, kicks their legs, bounces a lot and just can’t sit still. These kids learn by using their bodies and their kinesthetic learning modalities to help get information to their brain. They learn as they do. Kinesthetic learners learn best through movement of their large or gross motor muscles. These kids need to be involved with making projects, role playing, learning while standing or moving and really engaging in an activity.

What are some activities for the Kinesthetic Learner?

Here are a few activities that you can try out with your kiddos. You can use the basic activities and just switch the teaching concept. Click on the toggles below:

Jumping Jack Alphabet

Have your child recite the alphabet from A to Z while at the same time doing a jumping jack. A jumping jack is a calisthenic jump done from a standing position with legs together and arms at the sides to a position with the legs apart and the arms over the head.

Fly Swatter Syllables

Say a word and have your child swat with the fly swatter on a table top or on the floor for each syllable in the word.

Take a Walk

Take a break from the classroom or home environment and go outside and read the world. There are letters, words and signs everywhere. You can even head to the grocery store and read the entire store!

Find the Object

Write all the color words on a different flash card. Show your child a card and then have them go and find an object with that color on it.

Basketball Shot

Write vocabulary words on flashcards. Show your child a word at a time and then have them give you the word in a sentence. If correct – The kids can shoot a basket.

Sidewalk Chalk

Using sidewalk chalk, have your child write out each of their spelling words.

Orton-Gillingham Sky Writing

Have your child write a letter in the air and name the letter at the exact same time he or she is writing it. They then underline the letter in the air and say the letter’s sound.

If you want to see an Orton-Gillingham Sky Writing lesson in action, click on the video below:

Multisensory Materials for the Kinesthetic Learner

Some kids might learn to spell if they are given a chance to learn writing with a real tactile element. For example, writing with a squeeze-style mustard bottle, shaving cream, or hair gel or writing with your finger, using trays of colored sand or salt, all help the kinesthetic learner. Other options are to build words with wooden letters, blocks or puzzle pieces. Using music or dance can also be used to stimulate learning.

The kinesthetic learner needs some help and guidance finding tricks and techniques that make learning work in their favor. These kids just need more opportunities to get up and use some motion and use their bodies to remember things.

Please let me know in the comments below if you have some particularly wonderful activities you like to use with your kinesthetic learner. I would love to hear from you.

And while you are here… please check out the PRIDE Reading Program. This is an Orton-Gillingham program that is heavily scripted, easy to use, affordable and teachers, tutors and homeschooling parents use it with success.

Thank you so much for visiting my Blog today!

Karina Richland, M.A., is the author of the PRIDE Reading Program, a multisensory Orton-Gillingham reading, writing and comprehension curriculum that is available worldwide for parents, tutors, teachers and homeschoolers of struggling readers. Karina has an extensive background in working with students of all ages and various learning modalities. She has spent many years researching learning differences and differentiated teaching practices. You can reach her by email at info@pridereadingprogram.com or visit the website at www.pridereadingprogram.com